WHAT DO WE KNOW (SO FAR) ABOUT CHINA’S NEW AIRCRAFT CARRIER?

by RC Porter 

Five years after commissioning its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, China is now primed to launch its second carrier – the Type 001A. Unlike its Soviet-built predecessor, the Type 001A is China’s first domestically built carrier. Both carriers are similar in size and use a STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) system for the launch and recovery of aircraft. Although similar to the Liaoning, the Type 001A features some notable enhancements and represents an important step in China’s developing aircraft carrier program.

Key Facts 

The control tower island of the Type 001A is expected to be 10 percent smaller than that of the Liaoning. 

It will displace roughly 65,000 – 70,000 tons, a few thousand more tons than the Liaoning. 

It will feature the advanced Type 346 S-band AESA radar system. 

Its airwing will be slightly larger than that of the Liaoning, featuring around 8 additional aircraft. 

The Type 001A may have an internal arrangement that is better optimized than the Liaoning’s. 

It is expected to be commissioned around 2020. 

Comparing the Type 001A and the Liaoning

Outlines derived from satellite photos demonstrate the similarities between the carriers.

Key Characteristics of the Type 001A

LIAONING

SHANDONG (TBC) 

Pennant Number 

CV-16 

CV-17 

Carrier Type 

Type 001 

Type 001A 

LengthBeam 

304.5m75m 

The dimensions of the Type 001A are expected to be nearly identical to those of the Liaoning, however, some reports have suggested it may be up to 10 meters longer. 

Displacement 

60,000 – 65,000 tons 

65,000 – 70,000 tons 

Launch Type 

STOBAR 

STOBAR 

Ski-jump inclination 

14 Degrees 

TBD. Some reports indicate a 12 degrees inclination, but this is yet to be confirmed. 

Airwing 

18-24 J-15 fighters

17 Ka-28/Ka-31/Z-8S/Z-8JH/Z-8AEW helicopters 

TBD. It is expected that the Type 001A will feature a handful, perhaps around 8, more aircraft than the Liaoning. 

Complement 

1,960 crew; 626 air group 

TBD 

Armament 

3 × Type 1130 CIWS; 3 × HQ-10 SAM (18-Cell); 2 RBU-6000 ASW rocket launchers and flare/chaff rocket launchers 

TBD. Likely similar to the Liaoning 

Radar 

Type 346 S-band AESA 

Type 346A S-band AESA 

Propulsion 

Conventional steam turbines with diesel generators 

Conventional steam turbines with diesel generators 

Cruising Speed 

32 knots 

32 knots (expected) 

Launch Date 

December 4,1988 (by Soviet Union) 

TBD 

Sea Trials 

2011 

2018 – 2019 (expected) 

Commissioned 

September 25, 2012 

2020 (expected) 

All information is subject to change. Figures for the Type 001A are likely to change as more information becomes available. Details of the Liaoning sourced from The Military Balance. Feel free to contact us atchinapower@csis.org with any relevant information.